Talk:contranym

I propose that the name of this entry be changed to "contronym" in order to reflect the earliest spelling (and use) of the word.

The original spelling of "contranym" was contronym, which is a more historically correct spelling. The word derives from the Latin contr(a), "against, contrary, in opposition" + -onym; the suffix always supersedes the root, so the "a" in contra is dropped to form contronym.

The word contronym was coined in 1962 by Jack Herring for a language game. Contronyms were the subject of an article by Richard Lederer in Word Ways in February 1978. David Morice coined the word pseudo-contronym in 1987 for a similar language game.

contronym — a word which can be used in two contradictory senses: a language game. Compare antagonym, autantonym, heteronym, and homonym. See also pseudo-contronym. [Herring; Lederer/1]

pseudo-contronym — a word which, when modified, can be used in two contradictory senses (e.g., unit = one thing; but un-it = not a thing): a language game — coined by David Morice. See also contronym. [Morice]